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How to Fix “WebGL Hit a Snag” Error in Chrome?
Occasionally, you might come across an error message that reads, “Rats! WebGL hit a snag,” while using your Google Chrome browser. You will encounter this error if your WebGL content is not compatible with the browser or if it contains an error.
This article is a DIY guide on how to fix the error.
What is a “WebGL Hit a Snag” Error?
WebGL is the short form of the Web Graphics Library. Its function is to render interactive 3D and 2D graphics in a browser that is compatible with it.
WebGL can perform without the need of plug-ins or add-ons to maximize its task. The graphics processing unit of the computer executes the WebGL codes, which are written in JavaScript and allows compatible browsers to display interactive graphics online without using any tools or plug-ins.
“WebGL Hit A Snag” error will not prevent you from using your browser, but it can cause inconveniences. For example, if you are streaming high-quality videos or playing high graphics games online, the error will distract you.
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How to fix the “Rats! WebGL Hit a Snag” Error?
You might have tried some tricks to fix this error, like restarting your browser or using another website that uses the WebGL. These are not reliable practices.
Consider following the instructions below to fix the error.
1. Disable Hardware Accelerated Graphics in Chrome
-Hardware-accelerated graphics is one of the leading causes of this error in the Google Chrome browser. To sort out this problem, follow the steps outlined below.
-Click on the three dots at the top right corner of your browser. You will see a drop-down menu.
-Click on the “Go to Settings” link from the drop-down menu.
-Alternatively, open a new tab and type chrome: //settings.
-Scroll down to the section that lists the “Show Advanced Settings” option.
-Scroll to find a box named “Use Hardware Acceleration Whenever Possible” and uncheck it.
-To save the changes, restart your browser.
-After restarting the browser, try loading the website again. If the error is still there, you might want to try the other options.
2. Reset the enabled Flags in Google Chrome
You can also fix the “WebGL Hit A Snag” error by resetting the enabled flags in Google Chrome. Also, if you feel that your machine cannot handle WebGL content, then it is advisable to disable it altogether.
To reset the enabled flags in your Google Chrome browser, follow these steps.
-Launch the Google Chrome browser.
-Enter Chrome: //flags in the URL section and press enter. This will prompt you to open a new page that will include all of the available Chrome flags to aid you in the process.
-Beside the search bar, you will find the option to Reset all to default. Click on it. All of the flags in Chrome will reset.
-Restart your browser to implement all changes to take effect.
To disable the WebGL content in Chrome:
-Type Chrome: //flags on the URL section and press enter.
-Disable WebGL Draft Extensions.
-Restart your browser to save the changes.
You can now load any website with WebGL content without experiencing any errors. But, if the error persists, you still have other options.
3. Reset Google Chrome Browser
“WebGL Hit A Snag” error can also be caused due to inadvertent settings in Google Chrome that are not easily identifiable by users. By resetting the browser, you can fix the affected settings that are causing the WebGL error.
The following is the procedure to reset your Google Chrome browser.
-Initiate the Google Chrome browser.
-At the top right corner of the browser, click on the option “Customize and control Google Chrome”.
-Click on “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
-When you scroll down, you will find the option to click “Reset.”
-This action will reset the browser to the state it was in when it was first installed.
-Restart the browser to save the changes you have made.
You can now load the website with WebGL. If the error is still there, move on to the next solution.
4. Update your Google Chrome Browser
If you have not updated your Google Chrome browser in a long time, the error might occur because the browser is not compatible with WebGL.
The following steps will guide you through updating your browser to the latest version available.
-Launch Google Chrome.
-At the top right corner of your browser, click on the Customize and Control Google Chrome option.
-If there has been an update pending for two days, this option will turn green.
-If the update has been waiting for four days, it will turn orange.
-If it has been seven days of waiting for the update, the option will turn red.
-Click on “Update Google Chrome” and wait for the update process to be completed.
-After completion of the update, re-launch the browser for the updates to take effect.
It is important to note that, if you don’t see the Update Google Chrome option, then your browser is up to date.
“WebGL Hit a Snag” is not a common error but when it does appear it is usually very irritating when it occurs. Therefore, it is safe to arm yourself with some tips on how to fix it whenever it occurs.
The leading cause of the error is when the browser you are using is not compatible with the WebGL content on the website you are accessing. There also may be problems contained in the WebGL code itself that might cause the error.
On the other hand, if you find out that your computer cannot handle WebGL content, then you can disable the WebGL access in your browser altogether.
You can try out the solutions outlined in this article. If one solution does not give you the results then you can try the other. One of the solutions will address the error.
Apart from the solutions outlined above, ensure that your drivers are updated. Also, make sure you have the latest version of Windows and antivirus software installed on your computer.
